Spring development system

ABSTRACT

THE SYSTEM CONTEMPLATES THE PROVISION OF A PRECAST WATER COLLECTION BOX OR RESERVOIR COMMUNICATED WITH COLLECTOR DRAIN TILE IN A SPRING OR SEEP AREA THROUGH AN INLET PIPE, AND COMMUNICATED WITH A TROUGH OR HOLDING TANK THROUGH AN OUTFLOW PIPE THE BOX INCLUDES AN OVERFLOW OUTLET PIPE WITH THE VARIOUS PIPES COMMUNICATING WITH THE PRECAST BOX AT PREDETERMINED POINTS ABOVE THE BOTTOM THEREOF, THE INLET PIPE AND THE OVERFLOW OUTLET PIPE BEING RECEIVED AND MORTARED WITHIN TAPERED PRECAST HOLES FOR SIMPLIFYING THE ASSEMBLY.

FebQZ, 1971 LA MAR M. EARNl-mru'V 3,559,408n

SPRING DEVELOPMENT SYSTEM 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed sept'. 2s. 196s n QM.

mm .um v M. ww r wn m W U Y l- B LA MAR M. EARNHART 3,559,408

SPRING DEVELOPMENT SYSTEM Feb. 2, 1971- Fil'ed sept. 2e. 195e 2Sheets-Sheet 2 f m, .w .M 9 M. 4. w ,WW M. m w ....4. L wb.. m.. u V M,uw N

INVENTOR.

United States Patent() 3,559,408 SPRING DEVELOPMENT SYSTEM La Mar M.Earnhart, Box 45, Waynesville, Ohio 45068 Filed Sept. 26, 1968, Ser. No.762,764 Int. Cl. E02b 11/00, 7/08 U.S. Cl. 61-10 10 Claims ABSTRACT OFTHE DISCLOSURE The present invention is concerned with springdevelopment systems, and more particularly relates to a uniquecollection box, the manner in which the box is constructed, and themanner in which the box is incorporated and operates in the system.

It is a primary intention of the instant invention to provide a uniquelyconstructed spring collection box which greatly facilitates theinstallation of the system and which, in the installed system, providesfor a more ecient operation of the system, avoiding most of the problemsgenerally associated with such systems, including the introduction ofpollutants into the system and the possibility of the developed areabecoming water saturated.

In achieving the above objects, it is contemplated that the springcollection box of the instant invention be precast and of reinforcedconcrete, having several pipe connecting openings dened therein forengagement therewith by an inlet pipe communicating with the collectortile in the spring area, an over-flow pipe generally aligned with theinlet pipe and offset downwardly approximately one inch therefrom, andone or more outflow pipes leading to stock or holding tanks.

These together with other objects and advantages which will becomesubsequently apparent reside in the details of construction andoperation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, whereinlike numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view through the springdevelopment system;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view through the spring collectionbox and the communicating pipe sections,

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the spring collection box;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged transverse cross-sectional view taken through thespring collection box substantially on a plane passing along line 4--4in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a transverse cross-sectional view through the box takensubstantially on a plane passing along line 5-5 in FIG. 3; and

FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional detail taken sub- 3,559,408Patented Feb. 2, 1971 stantially on a plane passing along line 6--6 inFIG. 4.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings, reference numeral 10 isused to generally designate the spring development system. This systemincludes a spring or seep area 12 having laterally branching collectordrain tile 14 positioned therein, a spring collection box 16 downstreamfrom the seep area 12, and a trough or holding tank 18 downstream fromthe collection box 16.

In placing the collector tile 14, a trench 20` is dug transverselyacross the spring or seep area 12 down to an impervious or water-tightlayer 22. The title 14, which is preferably four inch drain tile, islaid in the trench 20 on top of the impervious layer 22 with gravel orrock 24 v on the uphill side of the tile 14 and tightly tamped clay orpoured concrete 26 on the lower side of the tile so as to intersect andkeep the water from escaping into the soil on the downhill side of thecollector tile 14.

An elongated inlet pipe 28, preferably formed of sewer tile with sealedjoints, communicates the collector tile 14 with the spring collectionbox 16. An appropriate concrete anti-seep cutofr wall 30 is providedabout the inlet pipe 28 immediately below the collector tile 14 so as toprevent any seepage along the pipe` 28.

Communicated with the box 16 in generally opposed relation to the inletpipe 28 is a downhill extending overflow outlet pipe 32. This overowpipe extends to an area remote from the developed area so as to preventany overflow and possible water saturation of the developed area.

Also extending from communication with the collection box 16 is at leastone reduced diameter outflow pipe 34 which communicates with a wateringtrough or holding tank 18, also provided with an overflow line 36.

Referring now specifically to the spring collection box 16, this box isto be prefabricated or precast, formed of reinforced concrete so as todefine a hollow cylindrical unit with an open upper end. Both theannular wall 38 of the box 16 and the bottom wall or iloor 40 arepreferably to be two inches thick with the transverse internal diameterthereof being eighteen inches. A removable precast concrete top or lid42 is also provided for sealing the box 16 while still allowing forconvenient access thereto for inspection purposes or the like. Theannular box wall 38 is provided with a pair of generally opposedopenings or holes 44 and 46 which accommodate the inlet and overflowoutlet pipes 28 and 32. The openings `44 and 46 are each taperedinwardly from an outside diameter of six inches to an inside diameter offive inches, the ve inch inside diameter being just sulicient so as toallow for a sliding reception of the pipes 28 and 32. The basis for thetapered configuration of the holes 44 and 46 is so as to provide aconvenient means for properly mortaring the"`pipes 28 and 32 in theholes 44 and 46 without requiring access to the interior of the box 16,such being extremely difficult because of the height of the box,approximately four feet, and the narrow interior diameter thereof. Withthe tapered conlguraiton and the relatively close fit between the pipesand the inner ends of the holes, the mortar can be properly packed inthe holes from the exterior of the box 16 without the mortar fallinginto the interior of the box itself. Finally, noting the dimension linesin FIG. 4, the hole 46 through which the overow outlet pipe 32 iscommunicated, is located slightly below the inlet pipe opening 44, thisdistance being approximately one inch whereby an overflow or excessbuild-up of water in the box 16 will drain through the downhill overflowpipe 32 and not result in a backow through the inlet pipe 28. Thisprovision of an overflow outlet in the collection box is consideredparticularly significant as a means for avoiding a water saturation ofthe development area and waterlogging of the collector tiles duringperiods of high rainfall. With regard to locating the openings 44 and 46in the box 16, the lowermost portion of the inner edge of the opening 44will normally be positioned thirteen inches from the inner surface ofthe floor 40, and the lowermost portion of the inner diameter of theopening 46 will be located approximately twelve inches above the innersurface of the floor 40.

Located vertically below each opening 44 and 46 is a second pair ofopenings 48, each positoined approximately seven inches from the innersurface of the bottom 40 and each being approximately one and one-halfinches in diameter. While two such openings 48 have been illustrated,any practical number thereof can be provided depending upon the numberof troughs or holding tanks 18 to be fed. Each of the openings 48 isparticularly adapted to rigidly mount one end of an elongated outflowpipe 34 which feeds a trough 18. It is contemplated that the actualconnection includes a short metal rod 50 embedded within the concreteimmediately below and along each hole 48 and an appropriate pipeconnector 52 welded to this rod 50. Other appropriate connection meanscan also of course be utilized. Incidentally, it shall bc appreciatedthat the fact that the overflow outlet pipe opening 46 is spaced severalinches above the outow pipe openings 48 allowed the development of ahead of water which insures a proper flow outward through the outow pipeor pipes 34. Further, with regard to FIG. 2, the arrangement showntherein assumes only a single watering trough is being fed, and as such,an appropriate plug 54 has been mounted within the unused opening 48.

In normal operation, the water in the spring or seep area 12 flows alongthe impervious layer 22 to the collector tiles 14 which collect anddirect the water to the communicated intake pipe 28 for an introductionof the water into the collection box 16. The water in the box 16 flowsthrough the outfiow pipe or pipes 34 into an appropriate downhill troughor holding tank. Should any increase in flow occur beyond that which canappropriately be held in the box or fed into the trough, the water willdischarge directly from the box 16 through the overflow outlet pipe 32for discharge away from the spring development area, thus avoiding awater saturation of the area and possible pollution of the systemresulting therefrom. i

The specific construction of the precast collection box 16 is alsoconsidered particularly important in simplifying the installaton of thesystem, not only by avoiding the necessity of an in situ construction ofthe box 16, but also by enabling a simplified engagement of the pipestherewith as well as handling of the collecting water while the lowerportion of the system is being installed. For example, the provision ofthe various openings through the side walls enables the construction ofthe box with a solid fiat bottom which can be properly seated within aground hole before the pipes are connected therewith. In addition, theholes 48 are particularly useful in providing for a controlled liow ofthe collected water while the mortar used in setting the ends of thepipes 28 and 32 hardens so as to provide sealed joints. Further, theopenings 48, in conjunction with the outflow pipes 34 coupled thereto,can be used to direct water away from the development site so as tomaintain the site dry during the construction of the water trough,holding tank or the like, after the pipes 34 can be connected to theconstructed trough or holding tank for the supplying of water thereto.In this manner, actual construction of the entire system can be effectedat one time through a progressive controlling of the water from thespring or seep area as the system is constructed down therefrom.Finally, it should be appreciated that the above set forth dimensions,while considered preferable in most instances, can be varied as long asthe relative relationship between the components is maintained.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles ofthe invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes willreadily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limitthe invention to the exact construction and operation shown anddescribed, and accordingly all suitable modications and equivalents maybe restored to, falling within the scope of the invention.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A spring development system comprising a spring area, collector meanslocated within the spring area for the gathering of water therein, inletpipe means having one end thereof in water receiving communication withthe collector means and a collection box, said collection box beinglocated downstream from said collector means and having a first inletopening defined therein, said inlet pipe means having a second endengaged within the collection box opening for a movement of water fromthe collector means into the collection box, said collection box havinga second outflow opening located in a horizontal plane below the firstinlet opening, an outfiow pipe having one end engaged within said secondopening in liow receiving communication with the collection box, holdingtank means downstream from the collection box, said outflow pipe havingthe second end thereof in fiow discharging communication with saidholding tank means, for a movement of water from the collection box intothe holding tank means, a third overflow opening defined in saidcollection box and located in a plane above said second outow openingand slightly below said first inlet opening, said third overow openingbeing directed downstream therefrom and an overflow outlet pipe havingone end thereof engaged within Said third opening in flow receivingcommunication with the collection box.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein said collection box is prefabricated ofreinforced concrete.

3. The system of claim 1 including a plurality of outow openings definedin said box at approximately equal height.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the first inlet opening and the thirdoverow opening are tapered inwardly from the exterior of the box to theinterior thereof, defining, in each instance, a greater diameter at theexterior of the box and a lesser diameter at the interior of the box,the inlet pipe means and the overow outlet pipe being of diameters so asto provide for a close sliding engagement within the correspondingopenings relative to the lesser inner diameters thereof whereby atapered mortar receiving space is provided annularly about each holereceived pipe increasing outwardly from the lesser inner diameters.

5. In a spring development system, a collection box, said collection boxincluding a peripheral upstanding wall, a closed bottom, and a removabletop, said upstanding wall having a first inlet opening defined laterallytherethrough in spaced relation above the bottom, a second outow openingdefined therethrough also in spaced relation above the bottom andlocated in a horizontal plane below the first inlet opening, and a thirdoverflow opening defined therethrough, also in spaced relation abovesaid bottom, said third overflow opening being located in a plane spacedabove said second outflow opening and slightly below said first inletopening.

f6. The collection box of claim 5 wherein said first inlet opening andsaid third overflow opening are each of a tapered configuration,tapering from a larger diameter at the exterior of the wall to a lesserdiameter at the nterior of the wall.

7. The collection box of claim 6 including an embedded connectingelement locked within the wall and communicating with said outflowopening.

8. The collection box of claim 7 wherein said rstinlet opening and saidthird overflow opening are substantially diametrically opposed from eachother.

9. The collection box of claim 5 wherein said first inlet opening andsaid third overflow opening are substantially diametrically opposed fromeach other.

10. The collection box of claim 9 wherein said collection box isprefabricated of reinforced concrete.

6 References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,635,477 7/1927 Hall IS7-236K1,686,475 10/ 1928 Southgate 137--236X 1,866,826 7/1932 Strothmann 61-103,263,378 8/1966 Dorris 52-100 JACOB SHAPIRO, IPrimary Examiner U.S. C1.X.R.

